3 red hot relievers the NY Mets should trade for before their stock goes up further

3) Felix Bautista

Pitching hasn’t been a strength for the Baltimore Orioles with one notable exception: Felix Bautista. An easily overlooked stud reliever due in part to his absence from the 2024 season, he is putting together his third superb season in as many tries. A 2.48 ERA in 32.2 innings with 17 saves, Bautista is getting better as the season progresses.

The 6’8 righty now has a 1.98 ERA in 159.1 career big league innings. At 30-years-old with years of control, he’s the kind of bold trade deadline addition Mets fans should get excited about. It’s no wonder ESPN named him as the one player the Mets need to acquire.

Bautista pitched to a 0.82 ERA in 11 June appearances while fanning 19 in 11 innings. July has been as close to perfect as possible. Batters are 0 for 9 with a walk and 5 strikeouts in 9 plate appearances. They were just 3 for 36 versus him in June.

How available Bautista is can come into question. Would the Orioles, who intended to contend this year, sell him at a high? They have two more years to plug him into their closer’s role while remaining arbitration eligible.

If the Orioles are selling Bautista, expect every buyer to check in. He’d completely change the complexion of the Mets bullpen now and in the future. With Edwin Diaz possibly opting out after this season, he’d be an automatic replacement just in case Sugar decides to sign elsewhere.